PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF...

RSCD/KLK/RRT/ppl

PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

Rail Safety and Carriers Division Resolution SX-44Rail Engineering Safety Branch Date: August 23, 2001Rail Crossings Engineering Section

R E S O L U T I O N

RESOLUTION SX-44. PURSUANT TO SECTION 10 OF GENERAL ORDER 75-C AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PARAMOUNT TO CONDUCT A TRIAL INSTALLATION TO CONTROL THE EXISTING PARAMOUNT BOULEVARD – ROSECRANS AVENUE DIAGONAL RAILROAD CROSSING WITH NEW IMPROVED TRAFFIC SIGNALS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE OUTMODED RAILROAD CONTROL SYSTEM.

SUMMARY

By letter dated May 14, 2001, City of Paramount (City) has requested pursuant to Section 10 of Commission General Order (G.O.) 75-C a Commission Resolution authorizing a trial installation of city traffic signals to control the railroad crossing as an alternative railroad control system to replace the existing outmoded Standard No. 8-A Flashing Lights Signal with Cantilever Arm. The site of the proposed installation will be the existing diagonal Paramount Boulevard - Rosecrans Avenue Crossing No. BBL-496.19 in Paramount, Los Angeles County. Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) by letter dated May 11, 2001 has expressed full support of the City’s proposal.

BACKGROUND

In connection with the project to close 29 at-grade crossings (as more fully indicated by plans and text attached to Appendix A) of the Union Pacific Railroad Company’s (UP) West Santa Ana Branch Line, City of Paramount proposes to improve the Paramount Boulevard - Rosecrans Avenue crossing in Paramount, Los Angeles County.

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RSCD/KLK/RRT/ppl Resolution SX-44

In support of its proposal, City requests that the Commission allow City to control the rail crossing with the City’s traffic signals as an alternative railroad control

system. Although recognizing that this concept is somewhat new and innovative, City feels that the overall operation and safety of the crossing can be enhanced by upgrading the crossing to newer technology, and providing more positive control of the vehicular, pedestrian, and rail traffic at the intersection. Section 8D.07 in the December 2000 Edition of the United States Department of Transportation- Federal Highway

Administration Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) specifically allows the use of highway traffic signals at industrial or other very low train speed and volume crossings in lieu of conventional flashing light signals.

City sees this proposed operation as a viable alternative to traditional train warning device and one that provides enhanced aesthetics, functionality, and safety, and requests that the Commission authorize this installation as an innovative demonstration project of an optional railroad control and warning system. To monitor and document the operational effectiveness of the installation City will provide the Commission and UP written status reports at six months and at one year after the initial installation and a final written report after two years of operation. This proposed operation has been presented to UP representatives who have reviewed and approved the requested changes.

Additionally, City has evaluated other standard warning devices that would replace the existing Standard No. 8-A signals. However; due to the diagonal configuration of the crossing, and that the street right-of-way is not sufficient to allow widening for the placement of any warning devices on raised island medians, it would be difficult to provide the standard minimum number of lights per lane without the construction of signal bridges across each of the four approaches to the intersection. These signal bridges would be potentially confusing to motorists by blocking and intermingling with the traffic signal indications. It is the City’s opinion that these signal bridges would outweigh the public benefit that would be gained, since there will only be two low speed (5 miles per hour or less) train movements at the crossing per day. Additionally, due to sidewalk restrictions, these signal bridge structures would present impediments to pedestrians and

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would create difficulty in complying with American with Disabilities Act requirements.

DISCUSSION

City requests that the Commission allow a trial installation of traffic signals to control the rail crossing as an alternative railroad control system. Section 8D.07 in the December 2000 Edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices

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(MUTCD) specifically allows the use of highway traffic signals at industrial or other very low speed and very low volume crossings in lieu of conventional flashing light signals. City believes that this innovative concept will enhance the overall operation and safety of the crossing and traffic intersection with the implementation of newer technology, and providing more positive control of the vehicular, pedestrian, and rail traffic at the intersection.

Under this proposal, the rail crossing will be permitted to operate under traffic signal control. The traffic signal can be modified to provide a minimum of one traffic signal indication for each of the approach lanes to the intersection, plus two additional indications per approach. This would be accomplished utilizing both mast arm indications, as well as both far and near side pole mounted indicates. To augment these indications, City is also proposing that a number of new technologies be employed, including, but not limited to, red “in-pavement” internally illuminated markers placed along the edge of the tracks to highlight the train crossing, and wayside horns to alert motorists and pedestrians of the approaching train. The “in-pavement” markers will be placed approximately 10 feet from the track and will face oncoming vehicle traffic in each direction. Currently City is requesting Federal Highway Administration and California Traffic Control Devices Committee approval for demonstration of the markers and wayside horns at this intersection, and would not install those devices until approved for demonstration. These improvements, along with the other proposed improvements are shown on Appendix B.

Specifically, the train will be treated in the same manner as any other vehicle at the intersection, and will have to stop and receive a green light before proceeding. Wayside signals to control the train will be placed along the track in the head-on position and will be red at all times except when the train has approached the intersection, stopped, and then been given a green light after all motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic has cleared the intersection. At the time the train receives a green light a number of warning devices will be activated in addition to all solid red motor vehicle and pedestrian indications. These devices include illuminated right turn restrictions indications, both signs and signals; all solid red “in-pavement” illuminated markers along the train track as previously discussed; flashing “TRAIN APPROACHING”signs; and wayside horns. Once the train has cleared the intersection, the traffic signal will resume control of motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic until the next rail crossing occurs.

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City is also including an Uninterruptible Power System (UPS) which provides battery backup operation of the installation upon Southern California Edison power failure or rolling blackout. The traffic signal indications and train warning

devices being specified for the installation utilize Light Emitting Diode technologywhich will allow full operation of the installation upon loss of normal power.An onsite diagnostic field meeting attended by representatives from City, UP and Commission staff was held on July 18, 2000 to conduct a full in depth engineering geometric review and evaluation of the City’s proposal. The representatives in attendance evaluated the flow of vehicular traffic and also pedestrian flow patterns with respect to the movement of trains across the intersection. The parties were in full agreement that given the complex street layout, the City’s proposal appeared to provide the safest alternative to protect traffic utilizing Paramount Boulevard –Rosecrans Avenue diagonal intersection.

A site map of the grade crossing is shown on Appendix B.

This is an uncontested matter in which the resolution grants the relief requested. Accordingly, pursuant to PU Code Section 311 (g) (2), the otherwise applicable 30-day period for public comment is being waived.

PROTEST

No protests have been received at this time. Union Pacific Railroad Company and the Commission staff support this project.

FINDINGS

1. City of Paramount (City) requests authority to conduct a trial installation of a new and improved method of controlling the railroad crossing with City’s traffic signal as an alternative railroad control system.

2. City states that this innovative concept will enhance the overall operation and safety of the crossing and traffic intersection with the implementation of newer technology, and providing more positive

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control of the vehicular, pedestrian, and rail traffic at the intersection.

3. Section 8D.07 in the December 2000 Edition of the United States Department of Transportation – Federal Highway Administration Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) specifically allows the use of highway traffic signals at industrial or other very low speed and very low volume crossings in lieu of conventional flashing light signals.

4. A full in depth engineering review of the street geometrics of Paramount Boulevard-Rosecrans Avenue was conducted on July 18, 2000 by representatives from City, UP, and Commission staff, and all participating parties were in agreement with City’s proposal.

5. No protests have been received.

6. By letter dated May 11, 2001, Union Pacific Railroad Company stated that it fully supports of this project.

7. Commission staff has reviewed the City’s proposal and it appears to have merit and should be granted.

THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that:

1. City of Paramount be granted an interim authority to conduct a trial installation of a new and improved traffic signal system to control the Paramount Boulevard – Rosecrans Avenue Crossing No. BBL-496.19 in Paramount, Los Angeles County.

2. The following requirements shall apply to this project:

(a) The proposed improvement project is approved for a period of 24 months from the effective date of this Resolution.

(b) City shall notify Union Pacific Railroad Company and the Commission’s Rail Safety and Carriers Division – Rail Crossings Engineering Section staff the date of commencement of proposed rail traffic operations.

(c) City shall prepare interim reports, six months and one-year, on the results of each phase of the operations.

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(d) City shall provide a final completion report and any data collected to the Commission and all agencies and interested parties associated with this project two years from the effective date of this Resolution.

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This Resolution is effective today.

I hereby certify that this Resolution was adopted by the Public Utilities Commission at its regular meeting on August 23, 2001 . The following Commissioners approved it:

_____________________________WESLEY M. FRANKLIN

Executive Director

LORETTA M. LYNCHPresident

HENRY M. DUQUERICHARD A. BILAS

CARL W. WOODGEOFFREY F. BROWN

Commissioners

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Appendix AUP WEST SANTA ANA BRANCHCROSSING CLOSURE PROJECT

Street City County Crossing No. Holder Street Buena Park Orange BBL-506.05Knott Ave Anaheim BBL-506.68Ball Road Anaheim BBL-506.60

Pioneer Boulevard Artesia BBL-501.58187th Street Artesia BBL-501.46186th Street Artesia Los Angeles BBL-501.30183 rd Street/Gridley Road Artesia BBL-500.96Woodruff Avenue Bellflower BBL-499.08Flower Street Bellflower BBL-499.02Bellflower Boulevard Bellflower BBL-498.54Alondra Boulevard Bellflower BBL-498.08Clark Street Bellflower BBL-497.95Lakewood Boulevard Bellflower BBL-497.37Del Amo Boulevard Cerritos BBL-503.20Norwalk Boulevard Cerritos BBL-502.29195th Street Cerritos BBL-502.39Bloomfield Ave Cerritos BBL-502.91South Street Cerritos BBL-501.80Pioneer Boulevard Cerritos BBL-501.58187th Street Cerritos BBL-501.48Artesia Boulevard Cerritos BBL-500.12Studebaker Road Cerritos BBL-500.36183rd Street/Gridley Road Cerritos BBL-500.96Holder Avenue Cypress Orange BBL-506.05Orange Avenue Cypress BBL-505.76Valley View Cypress BBL-505.42Lincoln Avenue Cypress BBL-504.91Walker Street Cypress BBL-504.80Moody Street Cypress BBL-504.17Crescent Ave Cypress BBL-504.07Crescent Avenue La Palma Orange BBL-504.07Del Amo Boulevard Lakewood Los Angeles BBL-503.20Paramount Boulevard Paramount Los Angeles BBL-496.19Paramount High School Paramount Unified School District BBL-496.49-XDowney Avenue Paramount BBL-496.78Somerset Boulevard Paramount BBL-497.13Cerritos Ave Stanton Orange BBL-507.43


Western Avenue Stanton BBL-507.30


Appendix A (Continued)


Appendix B

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